How to Ease Pet Travel Anxiety for Cats and Kittens

Anyone who has tried traveling with a cat has witnessed the earsplitting, demonic cries they can howl out once the car starts rolling. Traveling any distance, long or short, can be extremely stressful on pets, but especially cats and kittens. Be prepared and think ahead to make your journey to the vet or a longer vacation less stressful when traveling with your pet cat or kitten.

Safety First

Most vets recommend that all pets, even dogs, be safely restrained during car and other vehicle traveling. Just like small children, your pets are going to be safest if they are buckled up, restrained or contained in some way. Although we are used to seeing dogs unrestrained for short trips, cats and kittens should never be allowed free in the car.

First, cats can be unpredictable and more dangerous than dogs when traveling in the car. Cats are more likely to freak out and claw the passengers or driver, and jump around in the car. Even if your cat is chill in the car, which is less than one percent of the feline population, cats and other pets which try to get in your lap or on your shoulders are distracting to the driver. Even worse, if your cat jumps into the driver's floorboard, she may prevent you from braking and cause an accident.

Second, your cat is danger to himself when he is unrestrained in the car. Whenever a car comes to a sudden stop, the objects within the car continue at the original speed until they are stopped. That means, if you are driving 40 miles an hour and have to brake suddenly, your cat becomes a 40-mile-per-hour missile until it hits you, your passengers or the windshield. This can cause serious harm to the human passengers and will almost certainly kill your kitten. A cat which has been slung across the car builds velocity which crates and boxes prevent.

Invest in a high-quality kitty crate for your pet cat. Kitten crates may be plastic, metal or cloth and should act as a small "den" or "playpen" for your pet. Plastic and metal cat crates are safer for long distance traveling in case of wrecks and accidents.

Introduce Your Cat to Her Travel Crate

Bring your new crate into the area where your cat spends most of his time. Purchase the crate several days before you need to travel or before the first vet visit. Place the crate on the floor, add a few treats inside and leave the door open. Allow your cat to explore this new thing. It may take him a few hours to become curious, poke around, eat the treats and go inside. However, if your cat begins to think of the travel crate as his new hang-out, he will be more comfortable during travel.

For long travel times, place a small litter box in the back of the travel crate. Allow your cat a few days to get used to using the small litter box inside the crate.

Calm the Anxiety

If your pet cat is like most of the cat population, she will freak out once she is confined to the crate. Cats, by nature, do not like to be confined to a small area or prevented from seeing their surroundings. Their natural survival instincts tell them they have to see everything around them or they are in danger. Try to understand what your cat is feeling when she moans and claws the sides of her travel crate.

If she is familiar with the crate, it will ease the anxiety some. If your cat scratches the inside of the crate repetitively, line the inside with blankets and towels to make it softer. You may also want to use a towel, blanket or old shirt that smells like you. Smelling you might make your cat feel a little more secure.

Place the cat travel carrier in the car with two things in mind: your cat needs to see out and see you. This is not always possible, especially if the cat is traveling with the entire family. However, when possible, turn the wire doors and windows of the carrier so your car can easily see where you are as you drive. If possible, try to give your cat a window view as well. Seeing what's around her will ease your cat's travel anxiety.

As you drive, especially at first as your cat gets used to the new car and traveling, reach a few fingers into the carrier so your cat can smell and touch you. Talk to your cat in a soothing voice so she knows you hear her crying.

Keep new toys which your cat has never played with, or with which your kitten does not get to play often, and place them in the cat carrier at intervals. If the toys are new, they are more likely to grab your cat's attention. However, old toys might be familiar and help calm your cat too. Judge based on what works with your kitten's personality.

Keep a bag of your cat's favorite treats handy. Give one or two as your cat calms down to show your pet that is good behavior.

Ask Your Vet About Medication

Some cats, like my Nala, see right through all the comforting items and special treats. They know they are going in the car and they know they don't like it. For long car rides, like six-plus hour travel times for vacations, ask your vet about a mild depressant to calm your pet. Without a mild depressant, my cat will cry for hours until she gets so hoarse and tired she falls asleep. Although many pet owners don't want to give medicine unless it's necessary, a mild depressant is much healthier for your cat than hours of stress and anxiety caused by travel.

Pay attention to your cat's behavior every time you travel. Kittens who may have been great travel buddies may develop anxiety as they become older cats. If your cat develops motion sickness, either by vomiting or diarrhea, a simple medication from your vet can prevent it.